We have all heard the stories of famous Generals returning from battle. Napoleon. Jackson. Wolfe. Custer. Patton. This story is about a Roman General named Maximus Decimus Meridius, who wins a valiant battle against the Barbarians in Germany. Now he only wants to return home to his wife, son, and farm.
However, Maximus (Russell Crowe) is choosen by the Emperor, Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris), to become the new Emperor untill the senate can take over ruleing Rome. However, the Emperor does not tell anyone except Msximus, and his son, Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix). Commodus kills his father in order to gain control of Rome.
Maximus, knowing full well that Marcus Aurelius was murdered by Commodus, as he openly opposes the new Emperor. Thus, he is sent off with several of the Emperor's guards to be killed. Maximus escapes, however, and decides to return home.
Things aren't that great at home, though. His son "squealed like pig when he was nailed to the cross," and his wife "moaned like a whore when she was ravished again and again and again..." before being slaughtered.
Maximus, distrought, is captured and turned into a slave. Forced to finght, gladiator style, Maximus becomes so good that he is sent to Rome to fight in the Colloseum, in front of the Emperor, Commodus. Maximus knows that if he can become good enough, he can obtain his revenge...
Back in the day, there were a couple of notable gladiator-type movies, like Ben-Hur. Gladiator uses the old genre and brings a grand spectacle to life.
I really thought Russell Crowe was belivable in the role of Maximus. He was great contrast to Joaquin Phoenix's Commodus. One is evil; the other is not. Russell showed great emotion in his fights. The last fight against Commodus is especially good in that he is giving it everything he has. Great choreography with the sword fights.
I sure hop they didn't kill a real tiger on screen! I wish they had't used real tigers like they had; tigers are rae nowadays to to use one they way they did is just cruel. (I'm no activist but I do know cruelty when I see it.)
Plot: 
Visual Effects:
The sword fights were well choreographed and very beliveable.
The Roman collosseum was well designed; it looks so good you'd think they actually filmed in the real amphatheatre. They didn't, but it looks that good.
Sound: 
The sound effects are really well done. The score is good; good not great.
Character Development:
In Commodus, above all other characters, you can see great change. Commodus starts out as a sane murderer but evolves into a egomaniacal dictator, bent on killing Maximus because he failed to before. He knows from the get go that Maximus is trouble. And when he comes back, he knows that after even one win in the pit, Maximus could be his downfall.
Most of the other characters stay static; even Maximus himself. His one purpose is to gain his freedom, yet he never waivers from that goal. He dosen't change his focus at all.
Atmosphere:
Realism:
The story of Maximus is based on actuall events. Maximus, of course, is fake; a product of Hollywood. Commodus and Marcus Aurelius were real, though. Commodus did not kill Marcus, his father, but he did die in a gladiator fight.
Gladiator is, above all else, a grand Hollywood film. It is a swashbuckling, hero-saves-the-day type picture. There is a fine line prsent in the film; there is Hollywoodism ever present but it balances well with the realistic "historical" feel to the film.
Warren’s Rating:
Movies it was nominated with for Best Picture:
Chocolat; Erin Brockovich; Traffic; Wo hu cang long (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon)
8.71/10 Is the movie worth your time to watch?
22-01-05
Age at win: 37
Nominated for: Best Actor in a Leading Role, Maximus Decimus Meridius, Gladiator
Nomination: 2/3 (acting), 2/3 (total); Win: Only
Russell Crowe plays the part of the Roman general very well. You can tell that he really got into his character. Crowe looks and feels the part in every scene he is in. He doesn't over act, like some thespians tend to do. (Many comedic actors go overboard is commedic films.) When he has to, Russell shows emotion through his character, Maximus. When the time comes to be serious, he is.
Russell's sword play is the highlight of the film. He must have practised a great deal in order to get it down pat. When you watch the sword fights on screen or T.V. you really fell like it came naturally to him, which it must not have. (Does it come naturally to you? Are you a skilled swordsman?)
22-01-05
